Layoffs, other budget-cutting measures on the table for Dauphin County

Emergency measures, including layoffs, are being considered to deal with a funding shortage for Dauphin County health programs, Commissioner Nick DiFrancesco said Wednesday.

The state budget impasse has threatened state and federal funding for health and human services programs across the state. As the lawmakers marked the 57th day of the stalemate Wednesday, Dauphin County joined at least one other midstate county in considering alternative measures.

"Unfortunately, we're at the point now where layoffs will come if the clock keeps ticking," DiFrancesco said during a commission meeting.

Cumberland County commissioners asked staff Monday to develop a plan to reduce or eliminate county programs if the deadlock continues. The plan must be completed by Sept. 3.

Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick III, human services oversight commissioner, said after the meeting that he's working with lenders to extend a line of credit the county's Mental Health and Mental Retardation program to maintain services.

Similar loans could be extended to groups deemed essential such as Children & Youth Services and Drugs & Alcohol Services, he said.

Hartwick said he couldn't foresee layoffs unless there are drastic cuts in state funding.

"Just because we're making other arrangements doesn't mean the sense of urgency and fiscal restraint isn't very clear," he said. "The state is sitting on federal dollars and putting every county in the commonwealth at risk."

The real challenge will be re-balancing the county's budget after the state budget has been passed, Hartwick said. Dauphin County passed its own budget this year based on the Gov. Ed Rendell's projected budget, and the commissioners are expecting cuts.

"We're already receiving cuts in each of those areas," Hartwick said. "Every bit of money that we spend on interest payments, will be less money going into programs."

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